Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-05-07
THE MARTINSBURG HERALD, SATURDAY, MA

the llgnJS now before MIN. IL WOuid
be precipitate, at this time, to as
sumo to outline the exact terms of
the recognition. That may be well
entrusted to the assembled wisdom
OF the Republican party when it
convenes. 1t will not he considered
out of place, however, to say that
the Republican party has never yet
dallied with or evaded any essential,
broad issue affecting administration,
or the policy of the government. 1t
has had the courage to blaze the
way for all the political reform
which have marked the nation for
the past quarter OF century. Dis
carding the things of the past, it
has marched forward in untrodden
paths, grasped and mastered un-
solved problems, and addressed it.
self to new conditions and necessi-
ties, with confidence in its ability
to shape and direct them to the re-
nown of the Nation, the advance
ment of civilization, the betterment
of American manhood, and the pro-
gress and prosperity of the people.
1t stands as the exponent and rep
Tesentative of every essential meas.
ure which has contributed to the
grandeur Of the Republic, from the
days that it surged in the tbroes of
revolution to the present time, when
peace abounds through all our
borders and the stars and stripes
float over aunited and happy people.
It's courage and craftsmanship are
not exhausted. They will be equal
to the demands of the future. The
grand old party will not shrink from
fresh responsibilities, however deli
cate or weighty, nor will it lag amid
the labyrinths of doubt, no matter
what it's traditional enemy may do.
In spired by it's past history and with
faith in its high purpose to subserve
the best interests of the people. it
will approach and grapple with all
great questions Of public concern,
and show to the world that it has
lost none of its moral power nor
abated one jot or little of zeal in the
cause of human progress. States.
men cannot ignore the moral forces
that are upheaving and threatening
old political structures, nor be blind
to the necessity of adapting their
action to the demands which the
sense of Justice and right of the
country is making. These forces
cannot be arrested or controlled by
party platforms or Convention re-
solves.-They will move on in ire
sistible volume, if needs be, over
the ruin and wreck of political or
CARNATIONS, unless parties conform
to their requirements and consent
to be the instruments of cOnSum-
mating their ends. Time servers
and politicians may hesitate and
tremble at the thought of depart.
ure from the beaten paths of the
past, but progressive and enlighten-
ed craftsmanship will discover in it
a higher plane for political action in
consOnance with the awakened con.
science and broader destiny of the
Nation. 1t will be stepping away
from the miasma and contagion of
the fleSh-pOts and fossils, and NOV
ing forward under the influence of a
new dispensation, comprehending
the moral and intellectual growth
and advancement of the masses, and
the strengthening of the pillars
which uphold our incompatible gov.
ernmental system. To such forces
the politicians will have to yield, or
be broken under their giant power.
They cannot be diverted by mercen-
airy devices. They reach higher
than the spoils of Office or the merely
selfish aims of men, and implicate
the moral being of community, as
we'll as the enduring basis of a
government of the people, for the
people and by the people.-It is
either for present parties to Iecog-
nize them, or to contemplate with
certainty three or four organized
forces represented by Presidential
nominees. In that event the wisest
political prophet would be without a
reasonable reckoning, for however
much conservative men might con-
denim the policy of a canvass on a
single idea, it would have following
enough to derange political esti-
mates and embarrass with doubt
the whole range of calculation.
1t will be with the Conventions of
the two great political parties to
simplify the contest of 1888, or to
inject into it elements of confusion
and bitter contention, the like and
magnitude of which have never be.
fore been witnessed in this country.
Valley Virginiam.
| The appointment OF ID. B. Lucas